Home > Content > RVOICE, REALTORS® successfully work to pass residential quality support ordinance in Rockford

RVOICE, REALTORS® successfully work to pass residential quality support ordinance in Rockford

Date:

January 30, 2013

The Rockford City Council overwhelmingly passed (10-3) a landlord registration and chronic nuisance ordinance this week in an attempt to increase better communication between the city and landlords and accountability for those causing nuisance activities.

REALTORS® and landlords were heavily involved in the drafting, negotiating, and the final passage of the ordinance. Rockford Alderman Carl Wasco, a REALTOR®, became the lead sponsor of the ordinance after a competing landlord licensing scheme offered by another alderman failed to garner support.

The ordinance sets up a Housing Board that will be made up of a REALTOR®, a landlord, a neighborhood association representative, a tenant, and a citizen at-large to mediate and abate nuisance properties.

This advisory board may save the city from pursuing matters through the circuit court.

There are no fees for registering a property with the city and no inspections. Tenants are included as part of the Housing Board hearing and may be held accountable for their actions or their guest's actions.

PHOTO: Rockford Alderman and Illinois REALTOR® Carl Wasco speaking on the City Council floor regarding the Residential Quality Support Ordinance.

[1]Who's the GAD?Conor Brown[1] is the Illinois Association of REALTORS® local Government Affairs Director (GAD) for the Rockford Area Association of REALTORS®.